CHURCH FACES A LANDMARK DECISION

Barbara Iehl. Special to the TribuneCHICAGO TRIBUNE

Twenty-three years after buying Lakeside Center for its growing ministries, the First Congregational Church in Crystal Lake faces the difficult decision of whether to continue operating the aging facility or sell it to cover the costs of a $1.5 million expansion of its church on Pierson Street.

"It's ironic that the success of the church leads us to such a difficult decision," said Rev. Keith Haemmelmann, senior minister. "The church has loved Lakeside Center for 23 years. The question is, can we continue to support a growing and expanding ministry and support the increasing cost of operating the Lakeside property?"

The Lakeside Center and the attached Dole Mansion, a community landmark, have been the center of many of the community's festivals and special programs.

In the last eight years, the congregation has grown by 700 members to 1,700. To accommodate some of this growth, the membership voted to expand on its historic site rather than build in another location. The congregation formed in 1842, and the church was built in 1867.

The future of the Lakeside Center and Dole Mansion will be discussed and voted on at the church's congregational meeting on Sunday.

"The council will ask the congregation to consider the issues," Haemmelmann said.

The issues include increased operating costs, as well as the high costs of repairing the aging facility.

"Business-wise, it would probably be a good idea to sell it," said Jim Gesler, a member of the church and the chairman of this year's Lakeside Festival. "The boiler needs to be replaced and the roof needs repairs. And to really use the Dole Mansion, we need to install an elevator, which would cost more than $150,000. But I hate to see the property change hands. It's a nice place for our festival, and some of the programming would be saved, and some would be lost."

Diana Kenney, a member of the congregation and chairwoman of the Dole Mansion Preservation Society, said she understands the need for the church expansion project but is concerned about the future of the Dole Mansion and the ministries offered from Lakeside Center.

"I personally feel that we need more information before making such a huge decision," she said. "I believe the congregation will ask for more time and more information. I also think that we have a responsibility to the community to safeguard the Dole Mansion--a community landmark."

Haemmelmann emphasized that the church has a commitment to the ministries at the center and feels they could be relocated to the expanded church facilities on Pierson Street, should the congregation vote to sell the property.

Friendship House, which provides day care and after-school programs for children, was originally operated by the church. Though now an independent operation, it's possible that the program could move into church facilities once the expansion project is completed.

Space would also be available for other ministries, including Computers for Kids and the Good Samaritan program, an umbrella organization for 11 area churches that provides for people in need.